(Part of this was accidentally posted a few nights ago for like four minutes when I hit "publish" instead of "save" for anyone who saw it and is wondering why it's re-appearing.)
I don't know about you guys, but I regard both the SNES and N64 versions of Pilotwings as some of Nintendo's best classics. I picked up the SNES game today and had a blast playing through all of the Flight Scenarios again. The game has a very unique charm to it that both the graphics and music contribute to, the music especially. It's simplistic, but it's not boring or stale, but extremely fun and sometimes addictive.
For those who have never played either of the Pilotwings games, the gameplay is very straightforward. You play through "Flight Missions"(self-explanatory, you're always in the air) in various hovercrafts such as Jetpacks, Planes, Gliders, Helicopters etc. In each mission there will be colorful rings you need to pass through as you're flying and then eventually land safely without hitting the ground too hard to landing in the water. It's a neat idea that might have turned into a poorly designed crapfest if developed by the wrong company, but instead ended up being a terrific and under appreciated classic.
This is one of those games that just has to be responsible for many smashed controllers. You know the type. They suck you in with their involving and addictive gameplay, and then punch you in the face with cold and unforgiving controls. Don’t get me wrong; the controls aren’t bad. But they won’t cut you any slack. You have to work to get a perfect score in Pilotwings. Whereas the design is only very loosely a proper simulation, the controls are more realistic. The plane flies like what I imagine a real plane would. When you pull up, it slowly reacts and then builds up a climbing speed. And if you want to suddenly go down, you’re going to have to plan ahead to fight the upward momentum.
So, Punch-Out!! was released and turned out great. Nothing revolutionary, but still a great game that managed to successfully utilize the Wii's Motion Control in a well designed and non-clunky way. What about Pilotwings? It's really something that I've been hoping for ever since the Wii was released. I had heard a little while back that it one was in development, but I never heard anything after and from the looks of it the whole thing was just a false rumor.
I picture Pilotwings as one of the better games that would work extremely well with the Wii's Motion Control, if done correctly. And, by "done correctly", I simply mean no "
lolz turn wiimote sideways and if ur luckay teh game will pick up teh response". With Motion Plus, I'm sure(actually, I
know) a great sequel could be made that would add new and creative gameplay elements while still retaining the old charm.
It wouldn't have to be something overly complicated or "epic". It could be done in a similar manner that Punch-Out!! was. A great classic with a rather simple overhaul that doesn't alter the original core game play in any negative ways, but rather upgrades it to make it fit the console more appropriately. It's definitely time Pilotwings got more love. At least an N64 release on what is basically a WiiWare fest Virtual Console now.
Ugh, those are my quick thoughts here...I've actually been playing the two games since I got sick. I have a head ache and a stomach virus of some kind in 90 degree weather, both of which only came up right after I ate some tainted French Toast. :[
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I loved Pilotwings on the SNES but I had a ton of trouble landing. I also liked skydiving and watching my guy just hit the ground.
How do you eat tainted french toast? was it old bread?
was it old bread?
Apparently...
You're absolutely right, Pilotwings is the neglected Nintendo IP I'd most like them to revisit (forget Kid Icarus!). I just hope that if they do a Wii version, that it doesn't control like the plane games in Wii Sports Resort. Holding the Wiimote like a paper airplane was fine for that game, but not for Pilotwings.
I remember renting Pilotwings so many times when I first got my N64. I was addicted to it, but it was so hard for me. I couldn't beat some of the simpler levels -- like the one where you had to beat that giant robot with missiles from the gyrocopter.
Still just flying around in the bird suit was super relaxing. I'd be excited to see a Wii remake. I hadn't even thought about it until I read this blog.
@Trip: Yeah, the area designs and music made a lot of the missions really nice and relaxing to play through even if you didn't know what you were doing, which is just about on target for me since the first time I played the N64 game, I had no clue as to what I was doing, but I thought it was funny when you'd ram into a building and the character would make a loud, whiny scream. :P
I remember wasting such immense amounts of time just playing with the wings in that level you have in the photo right there. I'd pointlessly try to figure out where I could get and what kind of maneuvers I could pull off.
@Wan
Exactly! I liked to fly around firing missiles at the buildings even though I knew it didn't do anything. Man. Nostalgia's hitting me hardcore right now.
Dude... I drained HOURS into both Pilotwings games... I created my own games in the game... explored endless parts of the game world... one of my best memories as a kid was playing Pilotwings.
Heck Yes.
If this ever happens, they need to bring back the Music Of A Broken Childhood, from the cannon levels in Pilotwings 64. You know what I'm talking about. It still haunts my nightmares.
I`m with ya man. The music in Snes Pilotwings is brilliant, really feelgood. And I know of a very large techno dj (Richie Hawtin) who once ended his set on Radio 1 over here in the UK with the title screen music from the Snes game, just looping that fluttery first bit of it.
Pilotwings on the Snes was also the ONLY game my Dad would play, back in like 92. And that would be the only videogame he has ever properly played, actually.
I love it!